Objective:To summarize and analyze the early clinical outcomes of aortic endovascular remodeling device (AERD) for single-stage complete repair of acute aortic dissection.Methods:A total of 19 patients with acute aortic dissection who underwent proximal aortic dissection repair combined with distal AERD implantation at the Center for Aortic Surgery of Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between May 2023 and October 2023, of whom 6 had type A aortic dissection and 13 had type B aortic dissection, were retrospectively analyzed. One-month postoperative follow-up and aortic CTA were completed to compare pre- and postoperative abdominal branch outcomes and aortic wall remodeling.Results:The success rate of AERD implantation in this patient cohort was 100%, and no complications such as paraplegia or visceral ischemia were observed during the perioperative and postoperative follow-up periods. All abdominal branches were patent postoperatively, and 15 branches had preoperative " high-risk" subtype malperfusion, 14 of which improved postoperatively. All patients showed significant increase of the true lumen volume compared with the preoperative one, and 89.5% (17/19) had a postoperative true lumen/overall volume ratio of more than 70%.Conclusion:The single-stage complete repair of proximal aortic dissection repair combined with distal AERD implantation is simple, safe and effective, associated with satisfactory early outcomes.

Objective:This study aims to summarize the pathological anatomy characteristics of residual aortic dissection (RAD) in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD) during the perioperative period by measuring and analyzing the preoperative and postoperative 60-day computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of the aorta, with the intention of guiding further clinical treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study design was adopted. A total of 224 patients hospitalized with acute aortic dissection from December 2021 to October 2022 at a single center were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two groups based on Stanford classification. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of the aorta during the perioperative period (preoperative or postoperative 60 days) were collected, and relevant indicators were measured to describe the pathological anatomy characteristics of residual aortic dissection.Results:Among the measured range, there were 4 patients (1.8%) without distal tears, with a total of 648 identified distal tears. The numbers of tears in the A, B, and C segments were 211 (32.6%), 203 (31.3%), and 234 (36.1%), respectively. The average numbers of tears in the A, B, and C segments were 0.9±1.1, 0.9±0.9, and 1.0±1.2 per person, respectively. The corresponding average tear areas were(34.9±46.7)mm 2, (29.0±30.5)mm 2, and(18.6±23.9)mm 2, respectively. The average distances from tears to the upper and lower edges of the celiac trunk were(36.8±33.2)mm and(2.3±3.8)mm, respectively; to the upper and lower edges of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were(2.3±4.1 )mm and(1.2±2.6) mm, respectively; to the upper and lower edges of the left renal artery were(0.1±0.6) mm and(38.5±24.4) mm, respectively; and to the upper and lower edges of the right renal artery were(0.7±2.6) mm and(8.1±17.3) mm, respectively. True lumen blood supply for the celiac trunk was observed in 151 cases (67.4%); dual luminal supply in 49 cases (21.9%); and false lumen supply in 24 cases (10.7%). True lumen blood supply for the SMA was observed in 187 cases (83.5%); dual luminal supply in 32 cases (14.3%); and false lumen supply in 5 cases (2.2%). True lumen blood supply for the left renal artery was observed in 150 cases (67.0%); dual luminal supply in 27 cases (12.1%); and false lumen supply in 47 cases (21.0%). True lumen blood supply for the right renal artery was observed in 148 cases (66.1%); dual luminal supply in 30 cases (13.4%); and false lumen supply in 46 cases (20.5%). True lumen blood supply for both renal arteries was observed in 83 cases (37.1%); dual luminal supply in 4 cases (1.8%); and false lumen supply in 1 case (0.5%). Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that the average number of distal tears per person in patients with AAD is 2.9±1.9, with only 1.8% of patients having no distal tears. The average tear areas in the A, B, and C segments are(34.9±46.7) mm 2, (29.0±30.5) mm 2, and (18.6±23.9) mm 2, respectively. 61.2% of patients have tears in the abdominal aortic branch segment, and the tears are located at the same level as the abdominal aortic branches. Among the branches of the abdominal aorta, the renal arteries are most commonly affected by dissection, while the SMA is least affected. This study elucidates the anatomical basis for the limitations of existing repair methods and provides a theoretical basis for the design of subsequent repair techniques.

Objective:To analyze the expression of silent information regulator 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1) and its relationship with chondrocyte apoptosis in patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD).Methods:Twenty patients with KBD were selected as the KBD group from Guide County, Qinghai Province, and 40 healthy subjects matched by age and sex were selected as the control group. Fasting elbow venous blood of the study subjects was collected, and peripheral blood mRNA levels of SIRT1 and selenoprotein genes [glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 2, GPX3, thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD) 1, TXNRD3, iodothyronine deiodinase Ⅰ (DIO1), and selenophosphate synthetase 2 (SPS2)] were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between SIRT1 expression and selenoprotein genes in peripheral blood of KBD patients was analyzed by curve fitting method. Meanwhile, normal human chondrocytes cultured in vitro were divided into control group (without any treatment), resveratrol (RES) group (to verify the activation effect of RES on SIRT1), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) injury group (oxidative injury model of chondrocyte), and RES protection group (tBHP injury after RES pre protection). The mRNA levels of SIRT1, selenoprotein genes, and apoptosis-related genes [B lymphoblastoma-2 gene (BCL2), BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) p65, and tumor suppressor gene P53] in each group of cells were detected by real-time PCR. Results:In the population study, the peripheral blood SIRT1 mRNA level in the KBD group (1.12 ± 0.38) was lower than that of control group (1.87 ± 0.97), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 3.31, P = 0.002). According to curve fitting analysis, the mRNA levels of GPX3, TXNRD1, and TXNRD3 in peripheral blood of KBD group increased with the increase of SIRT1 mRNA level ( R2 = 0.48, 0.66, 0.95, P < 0.001). The level of DIO1 mRNA showed a trend of decreased first and then increased with the increase of SIRT1 mRNA level ( R2 = 0.51, P = 0.024). The mRNA levels of GPX2 and SPS2 showed no significant change trend with the increase of SIRT1 mRNA level ( R2 = 0.16, 0.12, P = 0.064, 0.114). In cell studies, compared with the control group (1.00 ± 0.10), the SIRT1 mRNA level in the RES group (1.79 ± 0.07) was higher ( P < 0.05). Compared with tBHP injury group, the RES protection group had higher mRNA levels of selenoprotein genes GPX3, TXNRD1, TXNRD3, and DIO1 ( P < 0.05); the mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes BAX, P53 and the ratio of BAX/BCL2 were lower, while the mRNA levels of BCL2 and NF-κB p65 were higher ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:KBD patients have low expression of SIRT1. And RES activation of SIRT1 may enhance the antioxidant capacity of chondrocyte by up-regulating the expression of selenoprotein genes, thus inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the role of oxidative stress and silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) in cartilage injury in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) by evaluating the level of oxidative stress and the effect of oxidative injury on SIRT1 expression in patients with KBD.Methods:In May 2017, Twenty patients with KBD were selected from Guide County of Qinghai Province as the KBD group, and 40 healthy subjects were selected as the control group, 5 ml elbow venous blood was collected, centrifuged, and the upper plasma was retained. The glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and SIRT1 mRNA level was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Meanwhile, 150 μmol/L tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) was selected to damage chondrocytes; and different concentrations of sodium selenite (Na 2SeO 3) were used to intervene in chondrocytes to detect cell viability, and appropriate concentration of Na 2SeO 3 was selected for pre protection. Total RNA and DNA of chondrocytes were extracted. The mRNA levels of SIRT1, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region were determined by RT-qPCR. At the same time, Hoechst 33342 staining was used to detect chondrocyte apoptosis. Results:The plasma GPX activity [(35.48 ± 8.82) U/g·Hb] in KBD group was lower than that in control group [(40.43 ± 6.68) U/g·Hb, t = - 2.43, P = 0.018], and the ROS level [(577.10 ± 96.92) U/ml] was higher than that in control group [(526.44 ± 62.63) U/ml, t = 2.13, P = 0.043]. GPX activity was positively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = 0.44, P = 0.005), while ROS level was negatively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = - 0.39, P = 0.006). After 48 hours of treatment with 150 μmol/L tBHP (tBHP injury group), the survival rate of chondrocytes decreased to (55.27 ± 2.96)%; and the survival rate of chondrocytes pre-protected with 0.10 μg/ml Na 2SeO 3 (selenium protection group) was significantly higher than that of tBHP injury group ( P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the SIRT1 mRNA level of chondrocytes in tBHP injury group was significantly decreased; while the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region, DNMT1 mRNA level and cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Compared with tBHP injury group, the selenium protection group had higher levels of SIRT1 mRNA in chondrocytes, lower levels of DNA methylation in the SIRT1 promoter region, DNMT1 mRNA, and cell apoptosis rate ( P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate was negatively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = - 0.78, P = 0.004), and positively correlated with the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region ( r s = 0.76, P = 0.006). Conclusions:KBD patients have increased levels of oxidative stress, which may be associated with low expression of SIRT1. Oxidative injury may down-regulate SIRT1 expression and promote chondrocytes apoptosis by catalyzing DNA methylation in the SIRT1 promoter region.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the gender differences in the clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of patients with type A aortic dissection in our institution.Methods:From January 2019 to January 2020, total 405 patients underwent surgical treatment for type A aortic dissection at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, including extensive aortic repair (total aortic arch replacement combined with stenting elephant trunk implantation) and limited aortic repair. In the entire cohort, male 295 cases, female 110 cases. All measures in this study were expressed as ± s or median(quartiles) and analyzed by Student t test for variables or non- parametric tests; count data were expressed as frequencies and percentages and analyzed by χ2 test and Fisher exact probability test. Independent risk factors were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression. Results:Females were older than males[(53.3 ± 12.4)years old vs. (47.1 ± 11.0)years old, P<0.001] and had significantly higher proportion of diabetes(9.1% vs. 4.1%, P=0.047) and previous cerebrovascular disease (11.8% vs. 5.8%, P=0.038). Females had a lower proportion of total aortic arch replacement combined with elephant trunk implantation (64.5% vs. 82.7%, P<0.001), while aortic cross-clamp time[168.0(144.8, 201.5) minutes vs. 190.0 (163.0, 217.0) minutes, P<0.001] and CPB time[99.0 (79.8, 118.0) min vs. 107.0 (91.0, 126.0) min, P=0.006] were significantly shorter than males. Females had significantly higher rates of pulmonary infection (14.5% vs. 5.8%, P=0.004) and stroke than males (15.5% vs. 8.1%, P=0.030). The difference in the proportion of postoperative deaths between female and male TAAD patients was not statistically significant (3.6% vs. 7.8%). Logistics multivariable regression analysis found that female was an independent risk factor for postoperative stroke ( OR=2.574, 95% CI: 1.198-5.531, P=0.015) and pulmonary infection ( OR=2.610, 95% CI: 1.180-5.772, P=0.018). Conclusion:Gender did not affect mortality after TAAD repair significantly, but females increased the risk of stroke and pulmonary infection after TAAD surgery.

The end of the COVID-19 infection peak in 2022 prompts a backlog of cardiovascular surgical patients to gradually return to the hospital, resulting in a surge in cardiovascular surgeries. However, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical practice of cardiovascular surgery faces many problems. Therefore, organized by Beijing Anzhen Hospital, experts in cardiovascular surgery and related fields have formulated hospital expert experience on perioperative treatment principles of cardiovascular surgery for patients infected with COVID-19. This article summarizes the clinical decision-making of patients requiring cardiovascular surgery after COVID-19 infection, and advises on the corresponding recommendations according to the existing evidence-based medical evidence as well as the actual clinical practice experience of relevant experts. The main content of the article includes special requirements for cardiovascular surgical treatment indications in patients with COVID-19 infection, selection of surgical timing, special requirements of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management, etc., which aims to provide COVID-19-infected patients with guidance on rational decision-making when receiving cardiovascular surgery.

Objective:To investigate the differences in outcomes of surgical strategies and prognosis of patients with acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD) during the period of COVID-19 Omicron variant epidemic compared with the non-epidemic period.Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively collected from ATAAD patients during the COVID-19 Omicron variant epidemic(December 7, 2022 to January 10, 2023) and during the non-epidemic period(December 7, 2019 to January 10, 2020) to compare the differences in surgical strategies, perioperative mortality, and perioperative complication rates in ATAAD patients during the two different periods.Results:There were 14 patients in the COVID-19 infected group and 43 patients in the control group. Patients in the infected group had a shorter mean aortic clamp time[(89.71±16.27)min vs.(110.09±28.99)min, P<0.01], a significantly higher postoperative mortality rate relative to the control group(21.43% vs. 2.33%, P=0.02), a significantly longer length of stay in the ICU(3 days vs. 2 days, P=0.04) and the duration of intubation time(34 h vs. 14 h, P<0.01), and the incidence of adverse events, mainly cerebral infarction, was higher in infected group(28.57% vs. 6.98%, P=0.03). Conclusion:During the COVID-19 Omicron variant strain epidemic, our center preferred a more conservative surgical strategy in COVID-19 infected patients. Although the COVID-19 infection increased the postoperative mortality and complication rate of ATAAD, patients still achieve a more satisfactory outcome. Therefore, surgical treatment should be timely performed for ATAAD patients.

A case of pituicytoma was observed in a Han-Wistar rat from the control group of a 2-year carcinogenicity study. No obvious abnormality were found in clinical observation and necropsy. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining results showed that nodular hyperplasia in the pars nervosa of the pituitary, which was well demarcated and compressed the adjacent normal tissue. The tumor cells were similar to the glial cells with round or oval nuclei, cytoplasm rich in eosinophilic or vacuole. The tumor cells differentiated well, with no obvious cell pleomorphism and visible mitotic figures. Some tumor cells were arranged in a pseudorosette formation. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) analysis confirmed positive expression of Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein. The tumor was diagnosed as the spontaneous benign pituicytoma combining the HE and IHC staining results.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of ulinastatin on sepsis-acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) by NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods:Total of 60 mice were randomly(random number) divided into sham group, cecal ligation puncture group (CLP group) and ulinastatin treatment group (CLP+UTI group). Ulinastatin treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with ulinastatin 50 000 U/kg once a day. 24 hours after operation, five mice were sacrificed, the kidney tissues were collected to observe renal histopathology by HE staining. The macrophage infiltration was observed by immunohistochemistry. The remaining mice in each group were used to calculate the survival rate of 7-day after operation. HK-2 cells were stimulated by LPS to obtain the SA-AKI model, and the cells were divided into control group, LPS group and LPS + UTI group. CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability, EdU assay was used to detect cell proliferation, and JC-1 assay was used to detect mitochondrial damage. The phosphorylation degree of NF-κB was detected by western blot. Inflammatory factors concentrations of cellular supernatant were detected by ELISA assay.Results:Compared with the sham group, the kidney tissue of mice in CLP group showed that kidney pathological obvious changed, the infiltration of macrophages increased, and the survival rate of mice decreased. CLP+ UTI group reduced the pathological changes and the infiltration of macrophages, improved the survival rate of mice. Compared with control group, LPS group obviously inhibited the cells activity and proliferation of HK-2 cells, damaged the mitochondrial membrane potential of HK-2 cells. Compared with LPS group, LPS+ UTI group attenuated the phosphorylation of NF-κB, decreased the secretion of inflammatory factors, rescued the activity and proliferation of HK-2 cells, and reduced the damage of HK-2 mitochondrial membrane potential.Conclusions:Ulinastatin can reduce mitochondrial damage, inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors and improve the function of renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective    To evaluate the preoperative risk factors for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ASTAAD) patients in our country by collecting multi-center data. Methods    We consecutively enrolled 700 patients who underwent surgery for ASTAAD in the multi-center hospital database from January 2018 to January 2020. According to the ascending aorta size (AAS), the patients were divided into two groups: a group AAS≥55 mm and a group AAS< 55 mm. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the related preoperative risk factors for the onset of ASTAAD. Results    According to the exclusion criteria, a total of 621 patients were finally enrolled, including 453 males and 168 females with an average age of 48.24±11.51 years, and 509 (81.94%) patients had AAS< 55 mm. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses showed that smoking, hypertension, preoperative cardiac troponin I, and left ventricular ejection fraction were related to the occurrence of ASTAAD. The mortality rate of the patient during hospitalization was 13.04% (81 patients). Conclusion    In clinical practice, various preoperative risk factors affect ASTAAD patients, which should be paid attention to. Comprehensive evaluation and an individualized analysis of patients and timely prevention and intervention improve patients' survival rate.